exceptional
Far above average
Exceptional means standing out from the ordinary, usually in a positive way: an exceptional student, exceptional talent.
The word can also mean unusually difficult or challenging: exceptional circumstances.
In educational contexts, exceptional often refers to students with special needs—a euphemism covering both disabilities and giftedness.
She showed exceptional skill under pressure.
Serving as ideal model
- distinguishedNotable and respected
- preeminentSuperior to all others
- eliteSuperior select group
- first-rateOf superior quality
top-notch · superior · superb · stellar · commendable · admirable · laudable · meritorious
Exceptionally impressive or unusual
- transcendentExceeding usual boundaries
- unparalleledHaving no equivalent
- incomparableWithout equal or rival
- prodigiousExtraordinarily great in extent
miraculous · astounding · stupendous · marvelous · spectacular · stunning · awe-inspiring · magnificent
Seldom occurring or found
- unusualNot often encountered
- atypicalNot conforming to type
- anomalousDeviating from expected norms
- singularOne in number
unique · infrequent · scarce · isolated · sporadic · peculiar · irregular · aberrant
Gifted youth with rare talent
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- geniusPerson of rare brilliance
- giftedGiven as present
- savantPerson of profound learning
wunderkind · phenom · whiz kid · maestro · brilliance · giftedness · natural · precocious
Formal surrender of rights
- exemptionRelease from requirement
- immunityProtected from harm
- dispensationOfficial permission to skip rules
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
special case · allowance · special treatment · accommodation · variance · extenuating · excused · released
Top-ranked graduating student
- summa cum laudeTop graduation honor
- gold medalAward for winning
- Nobel PrizeHighest academic honor
- PulitzerMajor journalism award
world record · breakthrough · Academy Award · dean's list · Phi Beta Kappa · Rhodes Scholar · honor roll · distinction
exemplary
Serving as ideal model
- distinguishedNotable and respected
- preeminentSuperior to all others
- eliteSuperior select group
first-rate · top-notch · superior · superb · stellar · commendable · admirable · laudable · meritorious · prestigious
phenomenal
Exceptionally impressive or unusual
- transcendentExceeding usual boundaries
- unparalleledHaving no equivalent
- incomparableWithout equal or rival
prodigious · miraculous · astounding · stupendous · marvelous · spectacular · stunning · awe-inspiring · magnificent · sublime
uncommon
Seldom occurring or found
singular · unique · infrequent · scarce · isolated · sporadic · peculiar · irregular · aberrant · one-of-a-kind
prodigy
Gifted youth with rare talent
savant · wunderkind · phenom · whiz kid · maestro · brilliance · giftedness · natural · precocious · talented
waiver
Formal surrender of rights
- exemptionRelease from requirement
- immunityProtected from harm
- dispensationOfficial permission to skip rules
exclusion · special case · allowance · special treatment · accommodation · variance · extenuating · excused · released · carve-out
valedictorian
Top-ranked graduating student
- summa cum laudeTop graduation honor
- gold medalAward for winning
- Nobel PrizeHighest academic honor
Pulitzer · world record · breakthrough · Academy Award · dean's list · Phi Beta Kappa · Rhodes Scholar · honor roll · distinction · highest honors
- amazingastonishing, astounding, breathtaking, extraordinary, incredible
- complimentssmart, talented, beautiful, funny, awesome
- praiselauding, compliments, laudation, accolades, great job
- top tierelite, premier, premium, prime, best
- Brilliantbrilliant, bright, radiant, dazzling, luminous
- Luxury Termsluxury, premium, top-tier, deluxe, elite
exceptionalmediocre
Of only moderate quality
average · ordinary · unremarkable · inferior · substandard
exceptionaltypical
Representative of a kind
able-bodied · nondisabled · neurotypical · unimpaired · abled
- make an exceptionAllow despite the rule
- no exceptionsUniversal application, none spared
- without exceptionTrue for all cases
- take exceptionVoice disagreement or offense
- exception that proves the ruleAnomaly suggesting a norm exists
- with the exception ofLeaving out specified items
exception, exceptionally, unexceptional, exceptions, unexceptionable, exceptionalism, exceptionality, nonexceptional